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Posted by no spam here, thanks on 09/11/06 11:17
On Thu, 7 Sep 2006 17:59:32 +0100, "Nimrod" <ak@ak.com> wrote:
> It's not the VAT I have a
>problem with tho - it's the £13.50 "clearance fee" from ParcelFarce I have
>problems with. I've already paid for shipping so I resent paying twice -
>especially when I ALWAYS have to collect because they're useless.
Although I agree with your sentiments, be aware that you are NOT paying
twice. Shipping is exactly that - transportation from one point to
another point. The Clear acne Fee (high and extortionate though it is)
is a fee for some (minimal) extra work that Parcelforce have to do to
enter information into the Customs' computer and some associated
administrative effort.
Where Parcelforce erred is in assuming that they ahd your authority to
act as agent on your behalf in making theis 'customs entry'. Let's
assume you are a frequent imported and you have a contract with an agent
who does this work for you at £8 or £5 or £1 per entry. You would have
been entitled to instruct Parcelforce to pass over the consignment to
your agent for them to make the entry on your behalf. However, as an
infrequent importer you really have no alternative: you should have made
yourself aware of the import process and likely charges before
committing to purchase from outwith the EU..
This behaviour by Pacelforce is nothing but "inertia selling", however
it is highly unlikely you would have found anyone else to do the work
for under £13.50 on a one-off consignment. I am surprised the cost is
not greater: £13.50 was a pretty standard fee back in the late 80s
(albeit that the process was paper-based then, and much more labour
intensive!
There is a case to be made that this practice is anti-competitive and,
similar to bank charges, the charge bears no relationship to the cost.
However I don't think anyone cares very much, sorry.
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